Glass-working machine.



No. 696,008. Patented Mar. 25, I902.

I. W. COLBURN. GLASS WORKING MACHINE.

(Application fllad Mar. 22, 1899. Renewed Aug. 17, 1901.) (No llodal.) 3Sheets-Sheet I,

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No. 696,008. Patented Mar. 25, I902.

I. W. COLBURN. GLASS wonxms umcnme. (Applitnfinn filPd Mm. 22, 1899.RenewedAug, 17. 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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1-01 21 74- C' Y a rn Patented Mar. 25, I902. I. W. COLBUBN.

GLASS WORKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 22, 1899 Renewed Aug. 17, 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 Shoals-Sheet 3.

u q a 07 6? 1 h* m I 7175 o WEY- H kw- J'mvewior fiM UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

IRVING \V. COLBURN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

GLASS-WORKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,008, dated March25, 1902. Application filed March 22, 1899. Renewed August 17. 1901.Borial No. 72,385. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, IRVING W. Commas, a citizen of the United States,residing at T0- ledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Glass-Working Machines;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a novel means or' apparatus for rolling,pressing, and stretching plastic glass into sheets for the purpose ofmanufacturing plate and window glass; also, in connection therewith ameans for collecting a measured and prescribed quantity of plastic glassfor each single operation, said collection being made below the surfaceof the molten glass, whereby it is procured free from scum, impurities,and floating particles, so that the finest quality of sheet-glass can bemade directly from said measured quantity by the above-named operationof rolling, pressing, and stretching. By this improved means I amenabled to utilize the largest-sized glass-melting tanks for the purposeand readily gather, roll, press, and stretch into plate and window glassthe entire melting capacity of the tank with a small amount ofattendance. I am enabled thereby to dispense with the workmen known asgatherers, blowers, snappers, and flatteners. The employment of afloating gathering and measuring vessel in conjunction with means forcollecting a measured quantity does away with the gatherers, while therolling, drawing, dressing, and stretching mechanism enables me todispense with the blowers, snappers, and fiatteners. This apparatustherefore enables me to accomplish with a very few men-i. 19., oneskilled glass-worker and three helpers or attendants-the work that isnow accomplished by a much larger number of men working by the handprocess of making sheet-glass and to produce better work at a speed ofproduc-' tion never approached in handwork. It enables me to producesheet-glass with a perfectly smooth, even, clear, and brilliant surfaceready to be cut into sheets of the proper size and carried direct to theannealing-ovens without furthermanipulation. I am also onabled toproduce window-glass of a perfectly even thickness and to vary thethickness at will, if desired. I can produce plates or sheets of anydesired thickness, uniform or variable, the speed of the machine and allthe regulating mechanisms being under perfect control during all stagesof the operation.

My present invention is a species of the invention disclosed in myapplication concurrently pending herewith, Serial No. 713,353, filedApril 17, 1899, in which I have claimed certain features also shown inthis application, but not herein claimed. In that application I dealwith the glass in large masses, drawing the same from a receptacle in acontinuous stream, while in the present invention I lift the plasticglass from its receptacle while in a highly-viscous condition inseparate gatherings by adhesion to a gathering-plate, afterward bringingit by means about to be described to the condition of a finished sheet.

The object of the invention is by means of suitable mechanicalappliances working in cooperation to withdraw an unformed gathering ofplastic glass from a receptacle of such glass kept at the propertemperature, to flatten such gathering into a plate by progressiveregulated compression, to draw the plate forward as fast as formed undersuitable nontorsional stress, and to grasp the plate on opposite sidesas it leaves the compressing means by frictional appliances suitablylubricated when required and regulable and controllable as to the degreeof pressure and friction applied, whereby the plastic plate is drawn,stretched, and attenuated above the grasping-point into a transparentsheet of desired thinness and brilliancy. Auxiliary to the means forperforming these consecutive operations are appliances for keeping thecompressing means and the grasping means at all times at the propertemperature for working the hot plastic glass and appliances forcooling, chilling, and setting the plastic sheet as soon as sufficientlydrawn and stretched, so that it will preserve the form and polishedsurface given to it in the act of stretching. There are appliances alsofor transporting the finished sheet out of the machine to a place whereit can be cut up into suitable commercial sizes.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is afront elevation, partly in section, of the glass-tank, floating vesseltherein, main frame, pressure-rolls, pressure-bars, means for operatingsame, working platform, metal drawing-plate, opcrating-motor, and asheet of glass attached to said plate by a glass seal at a midway stageof the operation. Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing the operating ordrawing motor on the upper platform, the main frame, the traversingmotor and the mechanism for operating the pressure-rolls and thepressurebars, the platform for the same, and the upper working platform.Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing the drawing-plate, with a suspendedsheet of glass attached, broken away in the middle, and thecutting-table underneath, on which the glass is cut up into commercialsizes, also the traversing motor and accessories. Fig. 4 is a sideelevation, partly in section, showing the melting and refining tank, thefloating vessel therein, the rolls, the motor for operating the rolls,the pressure-bars, means for heating the rolls'and cooling the glass,the switchboard, the operating or drawing motor, the traversing motor,the metal drawing-plate, and the sheet of glass at the same stage ofoperation as in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side view of the handbrake shown inthe upper part of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a front elevation showing the rollsand pressure-bars and details of the operating mechanism therefor. Fig.7 is a plan view of the rolls and operating mechanism,showing also thewater circulation. Fig. 8 is a view of the inclined cutting-table. Fig.9 is a detail view showing the mode of introducing the electricalcurrent to the traversing motor. Fig. 10 is a side view of the devicefor introducing the electrical current to the traversing motor.

Like numerals of reference refer to like parts on the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, 10 represents a glass-melting tank,preferably arched on the top, broken away in the middle, as shown inFig. 2, to economize space.

11 is the melted glass in the tank. The melting is preferably done withgas and by the regenerator process, flame being admitted by flame-ports,one of which is partially shown at 100, arranged in the parallel sidewalls on both sides toward the rear.

12 is the charging-hole in the rear wall, closed by a door havingsuitable means for operating the same.

13 is a depending bridge-wall separating the upper front portion of thetank from the upper middle and rear portion.

14 is an opening in the front wall closed by adoor provided withsuitable means for opening and closing.

15 is a slit in the arch or covering-wall of the tank to admit of thepassage of the glass to be worked.

1616 are trough-like castings located on each side of slit 15 to protectthe arch at this point and exclude falling refuse.

0 9 are vertical rods passing through the arch for a purpose hereinafterdescribed.

Above the arch of the tank, over the slit or opening 15, is erected thestretching and drawing mechanism of the apparatus, mostly carried onplatforms borne on two upright columns, preferably I-beams 17 17.Nearest the aperture or slit 15 are to metal rolls 18 18, mounted insuitable bearings and arranged so as to be capable of approximation andseparation by suitable mechanisms, the space between them being at alltimes directly over slit 15. These rolls are hollow and are suppliedwith means for circulating a current of water through them drawn from asuitable source of supply. Also located near the rolls are thehorizontal pipes 20 20 for the purpose of taking the chill otf from thesurfaces of the same at the beginning of the operation, said pipes beingsupplied with jets or nipples or simply perforations and connected witha suitable source of gas-supply by pipe connections 22. Rotary motion iscommunicated to the rolls from an electric motor 23 or other suitablesource of power, preferably located on a convenient base near by, or, asshown, on the arch of the tank. 24 represents a gearwheel meshing withthe pinion 25 on the armature-shaft of the motor, by which the speed ofsaid armature is reduced to the proper rate and the motion iscommunicated to the rolls 18,preferablyby means of an endlesssprocketchain 26, which enwraps sprocket-gears 27 27 on the ends of theroller-shafts 28 28, and the pinion 29 of the gear 24, passing betweenthe sprocket-gears on the roll-shafts to give the requisite cooperativedirection to the rotation of the rolls. Said chain 26 is long enough tohave a bight in the slack thereof, in which runs the idlesprocket-pulley 30, mounted on the end of a radius-arm 31, pivoted at afixed point 32. On said radius-arm is a movable weight 33 of sufficientmass to keep the sprocket-chain always tight at the required tension todrive the rolls.

Directly above the rolls 18 are located two pressure-bars ordrawing-bars 34 34, also mounted on the supporting-columns 1717 insuitable bearings, and these pressure-bars, as well as rolls 18, areborne on movable supports or pedestals sliding in horizontal ways, so asto be capable, by means of suitable mechanism hereinafter described, ofapproximation and separation while the space between them is maintainedin constant alinement with the space between the rolls and space or slit15. The said pressure-bars are preferably made of metal, are hollow, andare provided with a means of water circulation (pipe 35) from a suitablesource of supply similarly to that provided for rolls 18. Directly overthe pressure-bars or drawing-bars 34: are located twohorizontally-placed pipes 36 36, provided with slits or a series ofapertures along their inner or facing sides and ICO connected with asuitable source ply under pressure.

37 is a suitable cock or valve for turning on and off said air-pressuresupply and regulating the same.

IIigh up in a framework supported by the vertical columns 17 is locatedon a suitable platform 38 a motor 39, preferably electric, whosearmature-shaft 40 is connected by a suitable train of gearing 41 42 witha horizontal rotary shaft 43, carrying drums 44 44, on which as saidshaft is revolved by the said motor wind or unwind the flexible bands,ropes, chains, or wire cords 45 45, firmly connected at their lower endsto the transverse bar 46, which as said ropes or cords wind or unwindupon the drums travels up or down in a horizontal position, being guidedat the ends in or upon guideways 47 47, affixed to the vertical columns17 17. Said transverse bar has perforations 48 48, in which loosely runthe circular segments 49 49, provided with handles 50 50. Thesesegmental rings can be rotated in the said perforations 48 by the saidhandles, and they thus serve the function of detachable hooks, ashereinafter described. Suspended by means of said hooks to thetransverse bar 46 is a metal sheet or plate 51 by one edge thereof, inwhich are perforations 52, into which the segmental rings or hooks 49detachably engage. This sheet or plate hangs in a vertical planedirectly over the passages between pressure-bars 34, rolls 18, and slit15. Its function is presently to be described.

At the top of the framework, supported by the vertical columns 17, isalso sustained one portion of a horizontal trackway 53, which may beeither straight or circular, preferably the latter, to give areturn-circuit. On this trackway runs a suspensory carrier or car 54,borne by wheels 55 55, which carries a horizontal rotary shaft 56,,sustained in suitable bearings 57, a motor 58, preferably electric, bywhich said shaft 56 isrotated, and drums 59 59, mounted on said shaftand rotating with it. These drums have suspensory bands, ropes, chains,or wire cords 60 60, which wind and unwind thereon as the shaft 56 isrotated, similar to the bands on drums 44, and said bands or ropes carryat their lower extremities blocks 61, perforated to receive segmentalrings or ring-hooks 62 62, similar in function to the ring-hooks 49.These drums and suspensory bands or chains are somewhat nearer togetherthan are the drums and chains on shaft 43, as the ring-hooks 62 hookdirectly into sheet or plate 51 in apertures 63, specially provided forthat purpose. A suitable platform 64 is sustained at the top of themachine to afford a footing and working space for the helper at thatpoint.

Attached to the motor 58 is a dependent switchboard 123, within easyreach of the attendant on platform 64, carrying a regulating-rheostat106 for said motor 58 and a reversing-switch 107 to enable the operatorto regof air-supulate the current and turn it on and off and to reversethe same in order to reverse the direction of revolution of the drums 59when necessary. The current is brought to the motor in this case on thepositive and negative wires 108 109, Fig. 9, on which run theconductor-trolleys 110 111, conveying the current to the rheostat andthe reversing-switch through the two conductive insulated arms 112 113and thence to the armature of the motor. The arms 112 113 are pivoted tothe motor at 118, and the trolley-wheels 110 111 are held up against theconductor-wires 108 109 by the tension of the spring 119, attached tosaid arms at 120 and to a fixed stud 121 on the motor. Aninsulating-block 122 is provided to separate the currents from the twowires where they join the inner insulated wires that pass to therheostat and reversingswitch on the depending switchboard.

114 is a hand friction-brake operating on friction drum 115, by whichthe operator modifies the rate of descent and ascent of the sheet ofglass being cut up on the cutting-table in accordance with the needs ofthe cutter.

65 is an inclined cutting-table supported on a suitable framework 66 andlocated at a convenient point directly under the elevated traekway 53 toreceive the glass transferred from the machine to be cut up.

67 is a platform built around the front and sides of the tank at aproper elevation and strongly supported to afford a working floor forthe attendants. It also sustains a switchboard 68, upon which is mountedtwo reversing-switches 69 70 for reversing the currents and thedirection of rotation of the motors and also two regulating-rheostats 7172,which by means of the radius-arms 73 74 enable the current whichsupplies energy to the electric motors 39 23 to be turned on and off andto be graduated and regulated at will, or in practice the current may beturned on and off by the reversing-switches, leaving the rheostats aregulating function solely. Electrio energy is conveyed to both thesemotors from a suitable source of supply through conductor-wiresconcealed in the frame of the apparatus. On the platform (57 is alsosustained the mechanism by which the attendants operate the movements ofthe rolls and the pressure-bars, an end elevation of which is shown inFig. 2. This mechanism comprises, essentially, the rocking levers 75 76,pivoted upon a standard 77 and supplied with curved locking-racks 78 79and hand-lever pawls 80 81 to engage therewith for locking said leverinto any desired position. The pedestals 82 82 S3 83 of both thepressure-bars and the rolls are movably mounted in horizontal lubricatedways 84 85, and said pedestals are connected to the rocking levers,respectively, by pivoted links 86 87 88 89, pivotally attached also tothe said rocking levers above and below the rocking centers of thelevers at equal distances therefrom. This arrangement gives asimultaneous and equal ICC approximation or separation to the rolls andpressure-bars, respectively, as the rocking levers are manipulated bythe attendant; but any other equivalent mechanical device can beemployed. To insure parallelism between the rolls and pressure-bars,respectively, in all positions, the pivots 91 of the rocking levers arerocking shafts 110 117, extending across the machine, connecting withsimilar rocking levers at the other end of said rolls and pressure-barsconnected similarly to the sliding bars or pedestals by similar pivotedlink connections. This duplication is not shown in Figs. 1 and 4 toavoid complication of details, but is shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Returning now to the tank, 92 is a floating vessel made of somerefractory substance of a less specific gravity than molten glass,preferably pot-clay. It is of such dimensions as to nearly occupy thehorizontal area of the chamber 93 of the tank in front of bridgewall 13,but freely rising and falling therein. Besides a bottom it has threeupright transverse walls of different heights 91 95 96, with endclosures 97 97, said end closures having thickenings or bosses 98 98formed thereon at about the position of the middle wall. The rear wall96 is the highest and is so formed to serve as a protection from theheat radiation in the rear. The front wall 94 is of medium butsufficient height, and the middle wall 95 is the lowest. A series ofperforations 99 are made in the bottom or close to the same in the rearwall at its base. The front recess between the front and middle walls isdirectly beneath the slit or opening 15 of the tankarch. This vesselfloats at all times by the buoyancy of its material.

The prepared mixture forming the working stock is introduced atintervals through the rear opening or charging-hole 12 as the plasticbatch is reduced at the front by the operations of working. The meltingis done at the rear. The glass as it flows forward under the influenceof intense heat gradually becomes more homogeneous and refined. Theobject of the depending bridge-wall 13 is to protect the front chamber93 in a measure from the intense heat, so as to allow the molten glassto assume the requisite degree of plasticity and coherence and get in acondition to be gathered and manipulated by parting with a portion ofits heat of liquefaction. The rear wall 96 of the vessel 92 alsocooperates to this end. When itis desired to work a gathering of plasticglass, the vessel 92 is partially submerged by means of pressure appliedto the rods 9 9, passingdown through the arch and resting upon thebosses 98. This pressure by sinking the vessel lower in the plasticmaterial until the top of middle wall 95 is lower than the level of theplastic glass causes the said glass to flow by hydrostatic pressurethrough the perforations 99 into the rear chamber of the vessel, overthe middle wall, and into the front chamber of the vessel, whence thegathering is taken. The object of this mode of procedure istwofold-first, the glass which enters the vessel 92 is taken wholly frombelow the surface of the metal in the tank, thus avoiding scum, floatingrefuse, and impurities and collecting only refined glass of properquality for working; second, the front chamber can in this way be filledto a desired height with a specific and measured quantity of material,which is important, as the amount of the gathering should beproportioned to the work to be accomplished.

The object of the opening 14 is to provide for examination of the tankand the vessel 92 and also to enable said vessel to be removed whennecessary for cleaning or repairs. The object of the slit or transverseopening 15 is to enable the iron sheet or plate 51 to be loweredvertically into the batch of plastic glass to receive a gatheringthereon and to provide a passage for the exit of the glass to bemanipulated. The guttered castings 16, as before said, protect the slitand the arch and exclude falling refuse.

The object of the bight in the sprocketchain which drives the rolls 18and the weighted idle sprocket-pulley running therein is to enable therolls to be approximated and separated without interfering with theirrunning motion under proper tension, which would not be the case if therolls were driven by positive gearing. The object of the provision forheating the rolls by means of the gas-pipes 20 with jets is to preventthe rolls from chilling the plastic glass at the beginning of theoperation. The object of the provision for cooling the rolls is toprevent overheating by contact with the plastic glass and to maintainthem at the proper temperature. This is effected by means of the pipe19, which communicates with the interior of one of thehollow rolls, thenacross to the other roll by a flexi ble or expansible connecting-pipeand suitable couplings, and thence by a suitable outlet provision to theoutside circulation. A similar water circulation for a similar purposeis provided for the hollow pressure-bars ordrawing-bars 34 34. Suitablecocks forletting on and shutting off the water from these circulationsare provided at 101 102. Both the rolls and the pressure-bars may bepaste covered when the work in hand is such as to demand it.

The object of the pipes 36 is to supply a blast of cool air underpressure directly on each side of the sheet of plastic glass as itleaves the pressure-bars to assist in the cooling and setting of theglass. The air-pressure in these pipes is under hand regulation by meansof the hand-wheel and valve 37.

The object of the metal sheet 51 is to afford a means for gatheringplastic glass on the lower edge thereof when lowered through the slit 15into the measured quantity prepared for it in the vessel 92 preliminaryto raising and rolling and drawing and stretching the same by themechanism provided. Said sheet or plate is prepared for the work ofgathering the adhering mass of glass by means of a glass seal 103,previously attached and caused to adhere thereon.

Operation: The tank 10 has been supplied with its different batches ofglass until it is full of fused glass and at the correct heat forworking. Refined glass has passed from the m ddle of the tank to frontend thereof. In this Journey it has passed from the direct actron of themelting and mixing flame, under which flame it was maintained at a highdegree of heat. As the glass reaches the front end of the tank it haspassed from its higher state of fluidity into a plastic state. Thisplastic state at the front end of the tank is hastened by means of thebridge-wall or other similar means, which cuts off the heat radiatmgfrom the rear portion of the tank. The vessel 92 is floating upon theplastic glass in chamber 93. The rear chamber in the clay vessel is atall times filled with glass at the level of the glass in other parts ofthe tank. As the rods 9 9 are pressed the vessel 92 descends deeper intothe mass of plastic glass, and glass flows or passes over the middlewall 95 of vessel 92 into the front chamber, the glass having previouslypassed into the rear chamber through the holes at the bottom of rearwall 96, one of which is shown in section at 99, Fig. 4. None butrefined glass free from floating particles, scum, dirt, &c., can makethis passage, as the glass all comes from beneath the surface. Thecorrect and desired amount of plastic glass having been gathered in thefront chamber of vessel 92, the rods 9 9 are raised by the attendants,and vessel 92 again floats, with the bridgewall 95 in same dividing itsgathering of plastic glass between the front and rear chambers. Themotor 28 is now brought into operation by means of its switch andrheostat 72. The rolls 18 18 and pressure-bars 34 34 are separated totheir greatest extent by the levers and 76. The motor 39 is put intooperation or motion by means of its switch 69 and rheostat 71. Thisbrings the plate 51,with its seal of glass upon the lower edge thereof,down past the pressure-bars 34 34 and the rolls 18 18 into contact withthe plastic glass in the front chamber of vessel 92. At the moment ofcontact and slight immersion of the seal of glass on the plate 51 withthe plastic glass the motor 39 is stopped. As soon as the seal of glass103 has made suitable con tact and adheres to the mass of plastic glassthe motor is started in the opposite direction by means of thereversing-switch 69, and the plate 51, with its gathering of plasticglass, is lifted, carrying with it a mass of glass of varying thickness.The rolls 18 18 are now by means of lever 76 brought into contact withthe said mass of plastic glass and revolved in same direction as thepassage of the plastic glass. This action of rolls 18 18 serves twopurposes. They roll the sheet of glass of varying thickness to aspecified uniform thickness or to a varying thickness, as may bedesired. They also assist in the lifting of the mass of glass, which isquite plastic at this time. They also in a measure cool the plasticglass by contact. The plastic glass now passes between thepressure-bars, paste-covered or not, as may be desired, according towork in hand. These pressure-bars concentrate and solidify the glass bybringing. the molecules into closer contact and relation, with theresult that the pressure given the plastic glass with the rolls andpressure-bars works out any air-bubbles and makes the glass dense andfree from creases, cross-lines, dzc. These bars also f urnish thedesired resistance or friction to pull against and to enable thestretching of glass to take place. Immediately after passing thepressure-bars 34 34 the plastic glass receives its final stretching,which is mainly done directly above the pressure-bars before it iscooled beyond plasticity by the perforated air-pipes 36 36. Passing saidpipes 36 36 the glass is cooled and set, so that very little stretchingis accomplished afterward. The drums 44 continue to revolve until theyhave in the rising of the plate 51 carried with it the entire gatheringof plastic glass collected in the measuring-chamber of the vessel 92,and the front chamber of said vessel thus being empty is now ready for asecond gatheringof plastic glass. The action that the plastic glassundergoes when under these manipulations is first to be additionallycooled in the vessel 92. After attachment is made to the plate 51 it isdrawn out slightly, which assists to better concentrate the glass. Itpasses through the rolls, which roll to a desired surface correspondingwith the surface of the rolls. This action of the rolls slightly coolsthe surface and forms a slight opacity thereon. The sheet of glass nextpasses between the pressure-bars. This action of the pressure-barsfurther concentrates the glass and makes it more dense. The stretchingbegins immediately after it passes the draw or pressure bars. Thisaction is such as to destroy the slight opacity of surface produced bythe rolls and produces by the rearrangement of the molecules in theplastic glass and on the surface the most smooth, clear, and transparentsurface possible. This action is assisted by the ironing, pressing,drawing, and stretching of the plastic glass while and after passing thedraw or pressure bars. The sheet of glass having been rolled,

ICC

ironed, pressed, concentrated, drawn, and

stretched into the desired sheet and properly cooled, the entiregathering of glass from the front chamber of vessel 92 having beenexhausted and manipulated into the long sheet of glass and passed fromout the rolls and pressure-bars, the motor 39 is stopped by means of therheostat 71. An attendant upon the platform 64 on top of the frameworknow takes hanging-rings 62 and inserts them into holes 63 of plate 51and with the aid of the lifting-motor 58 takes tension off thering-hooks 49, and thus being able to release rings 49 now takes saidrings from out the plate 51. He thus has transferred the plate 51, withits adhering sheet of glass, from the glass-working machine to thecarrying-car. He now moves the carrying-car along on the track 53 untilit is over the inclined cutting-table 65, when he lowers the sheet ofglass upon the table, and a cutter there stationed cuts the sheet ofglass into desired sizes as the sheet of glass is fed down to him untilhe has exhausted all the glass adhering to this plate 51. The glass nowbeing cut into propersized sheets is carried to the annealing-ovens.Meantime during the cutting-up operation a second sheet 51 has beeninserted in the glassmachine and a second operation has begun, and so onas fast as the glass is melted, refined, and worked into the propercondition of plasticity in the tank for proper manipulation.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcnt- 1. In the making ofsheet-glass, in combination, a receptacle for hot plastic glass, means ior gathering a portion of plastic glass from said receptacle, means forcompressing said portion of glass into a sheet or plate, and means forpositively drawing said sheet by the outer extremity thereof against theresistance of said compressing means, whereby it is stretched andattenuated to a state of clearness and transparency, substantially asspecified.

2. In the making of sheet-glass, in combination, a receptacle for hotplastic glass, a gathering-plate for withdrawing a portion of plasticglass from said receptacle, means for guiding said withdrawn portion ina straight, non-torsional path, means for progressively compressing saidportion into a sheet or plate, and means for positively drawing saidsheet by the outer extremity thereof against the resistance of saidcompressing means, whereby it is stretched and attenuated to a state ofclearness and transparency, substantially as specified.

3. In the making of sheet-glass, in combination, a metal plate, meansfor bringing said plate edgewise into contact with hot plastic glass,means for withdrawing said plate with glass attached to its contactingedge portion, and means for compressing said glass into a sheet as it iswithdrawn, substantially as specified. p

4. In the making of sheet-glass, in combination, a metal plate, meansfor moving and guiding said plate in a straight path, means forcontacting the advancing edge portion of said plate with glass at aplastic temperature, means for withdrawing said metal plate with glassattached, means for compressing said glass into a sheet as it iswithdrawn, and means for grasping said sheet frictionally, whereby it isstretched and elongated by the withdrawing force, substantially asspecified.

5. In the making of sheet-glass, in combination, a vertically rising andfalling metal plate,means forguidingsaid plate in astraightnon-torsional path, a tank for holding plastic glass in said path, meansfor contacting said plate with plastic glass in said tank by its loweredge portion, means for elevating said plate and attached glass, meansfor rolling said glass into a sheet or plate of desired thickness as itrises, and means for pressing, drawing and stretching said sheet orplate of glass by frictional restraint as it is drawn upward,substantially as specified.

6. In the making of sheet-glass, in combination, a tank for holding hotplastic glass, a metal sheet or plate, means for moving said plate intocontact with said plastic glass and withdrawing the same with glassattached, rolls for rolling said plastic glass into a thin sheet, meansfor graduating the distance between said rolls, means for heating saidrolls, means for cooling said rolls, pressure-bars for grasping saidrolled sheets, means for graduatin g and regulating the pressure of saidpressure-bars, and means for cooling said pressure-bars, substantiallyas specified.

7. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, a tank forholding hot plastic glass, a vessel floating on said plastic glass,means for procuring a measured quantity of plastic glass in said vessel,a metal plate, having a seal of glass adhering to its lower edge, meansfor contacting said seal with the measured quantity of plastic glass insaid vessel, and withdrawing the same with the adherent glass, means forrolling the glass adhering to said seal into a sheet or plate, and meansfor pressing, drawing and stretching said sheet or plate to the requiredthickness and transparency, substantially as specified.

8. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, a receptaclefor segregating a measured quantity of plastic glass, a metal plate witha glass seal on its edge, and means for making adhesive contact of theseal with said plastic glass in said receptacle, means for withdrawingsaid metal plate and attached glass, and a .pair of rolls forcompressing said glass into a sheet or plate as it moves between thesaid rolls, substantially as specified.

9. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, a receptaclefor segregating a measured quantity of plastic glass, a gatherin g-platefor lifting glass from said receptacle by adhesion, means forcompressing said glass into a plate or sheet as it rises, means forgrasping said plate frictionally as it continues to rise, whereby it ispressed, drawn and stretched to a sheet of the requisite thickness andtransparency, and means for cooling and setting said sheet,substantially as specified.

10. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, a receptaclefor segregating a measured quantity of plastic glass, 9. gathering-platefor lifting glass from said receptacle by adhesion, a pair of rolls,with means for applying regulated pressure through said rolls to theplastic glass passed between the rolls, whereby the glass is flattenedinto a sheet or plate, a pair of pressure-bars, with means for applyingregulated frictional pressure to said sheet or plate of glass after itleaves the rolls, whereby it is drawn and stretched to a sheet of therequisite thickness and transparency, and means for cooling and settingsaid sheet, substantially as specified.

11. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, a receptaclefor segregating a measured quantity of plastic glass, a gathering-platefor lifting glass from said receptacle by adhesion, a pair of rolls withmeans for applying regulated ressure to said glass as it rises, wherebyit i flattened into a sheet or plate, and means for cooling said rollsby a water circulation thcrethrough, substantially as specified.

12. In an apparatus for making sheetglass, in combination, a receptaclefor segregating a measured quantity of plastic glass, a gathering-platefor lifting glass from said receptacle by adhesion, a pair of rolls withmeans for applying regulated pressure to said glass as it rises, toflatten the same into a sheet or plate, a pair of pressure-bars withmeans for applying regulated frictional pressure to said plate, wherebyit is drawn and stretched into a. thin transparent sheet, as it passesbeyond the pressure-bars, and means for cooling said pressure-bars by awater circulation therethrough, substantially as specified.

13. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, a tank for holding plasticglass, arched with firebrick, a slit through said arch for permittingthe withdrawal of plastic glass, and guttered guards 16 for protectingsaid slit, substantially as specified.

14. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, a receptacle for hot plasticglass, means for gathering glass from said receptacle, a pair of rollsbetween which said glass is compressed into a sheet or plate, a pair ofmovable pedestals in which the bearings of said rolls are mounted,rocking shaft 117, rocking levers on the ends of said shaft,lever-handle 76, and links connecting said rocking levers with saidmovable pedestals, whereby the distance between said rolls is regulatedat will,substantially as specified.

15. In an apparatus for making sheetglass, a receptacle for hot plasticglass, means for gathering glass from said receptacle, a pair of rollsfor compressing said glass into a sheet or plate, a pair ofpressure-bars for making frictional contact with said sheet of glass,movable pedestals in which said pressurebars are mounted, rocking shaft116, rocking levers on the ends of said shaft, lever-handle 75, andlinks connecting said rocking levers with said movable pedestals,whereby the distance between said pressure-bars is regulated at will,substantially as specified.

16. Inanapparatus for makingsheet-glass, a means for gathering a portionand forming said gathered portion of plastic glass into a sheet, a meansfor frictionally grasping said sheet, a means for drawing and stretchingsaid sheet when frictionally held, and a means for cooling and settingthe said plastic sheet arranged above the said grasping means,substantially as specified.

17. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, agathering-plate for gatheringa portion of plastic glass, a means forcompressing said gathering into a plate, and a means for positivelydrawing or extending said plate by its extremity longitudinally withouttorsion into a sheet of the requisite thinness and transparency,substantially as specified.

18. In an apparatus for makingsheet-glass, in combination, a means forgatheringa portion of plastic glass, a means for progressivelycompressing said gathering into a plate, a means for frictionallyholding said plate, and a means for drawing said plate in right linesprogressively through said frictional holding means, whereby the plateis stretched to the requisite degree of thin ness and transparency,substantially as specified.

19. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, an uprightframe having parallel guideways thereon ,a bar traversing upon saidguideways, means for moving said bar, a means for securing a gatheringof plastic glass attached to said bar, a means for progressivelycompressing said gathering into a plate as the bar is moved, a means forfrictionally holding and pressing said plate by non rotatory graspingappliances as it is drawn by the bar, whereby the plate is stretched toa sheet of the required thinness and transparency, and means for coolingand setting the plastic material of said sheet, substantially asspecified.

20. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, agathering-plate for securing a gathering of plastic glass by adhesionthereto, a pair of rolls for compressing said gathering into a plate orsheet, an electric motor for driving said rolls, and means for startingand stopping said motor, for reversing said motor and rolls, and forregulating the speed of said motor and rolls, substantially asspecified.

21. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, agathering-plate for securing a gathering of plastic glass, a means forguiding said gathering longitudinally in right lines, a means forprogressively compressing said gathering into a plate as it is drawnforward, an electric motor for moving said gathering and plate, meansfor starting, stopping, and reversing said motor, and means forregulating the speed of said motor, substantially as specified.

22. In an apparatus for making sheet-glass, in combination, an uprightframe, a gathering-plate 51, an elevated trackway sustained in part bysaid frame, a traveling carrier running on said trackway, a rotary shafton said carrier, \vinding'dl'ums on said shaft, bands, ropes or chainson said drums, with means for attachment to said plate 51, and anelectrio motor connected with said rotary shaft, with means forstarting, stopping, and reversing said motor, and means for regulatingthe speed of said motor, substantially as specified.

23. In an apparatus for makingsheet-glass, in combination, a pair ofrolls, means for heating the same, means for cooling the same, means forregulating the distance between the same, a pair of non-revolvingpressurebars, means for cooling the said bars, means i i l l forregulating the distance between said pressure-bars, and means forblowinga stream of air on both sides of a sheet of glass passing betweensaid pressure-bars, substantially as 15 specified.

In testimony whereof I allix my signatn re in presence of two witnesses.

